Somehow I never got around to this, despite all those lit classes. I was worried that time would have blunted some of the impact the novel originallySomehow I never got around to this, despite all those lit classes. I was worried that time would have blunted some of the impact the novel originally had, and I was right, to an extent - horrifying crimes of this nature have become so routine that this one seems rather mundane. The author's careful dance around issues of pedophilia, sexual assault, and homosexuality, appears quaint.

But none of this changes the fact that this is a great book. The author has a unique compassion, a real empathy for all of the characters, from the victims to the perpetrators, the cops to the residents of the town. All are presented without bias or judgement, but merely as they are.

I won't waste too much time telling you what others have said better. Just read In Cold Blood, if you haven't already....more

First off, what a lovely cover and outer design. I bought the entire series based on the incredibly pleasing look and feel of the set, and I am happyFirst off, what a lovely cover and outer design. I bought the entire series based on the incredibly pleasing look and feel of the set, and I am happy that I did.

This is a superior translation, with the original illustrations preserved and presented, largely in color. Although I have to confess that I am not a fan of the character design in this series, the books are faithful to the original material. The editing is excellent, the dialog flows and is largely free of artifacts and errors in translation.

The concept is irresistible - god is a sixteen year old girl, and she is bored with the world. This is a bit of a problem, because Haruhi is fully capable of ending this world, and creating another, more entertaining version. Beginning with a school introduction announcing her interest in 'aliens, time travelers, and espers (psychics), she calls all of these things into being. Along with the suspiciously compliant and mundane narrator, she forms a club, the SOS brigade, to hunt the very things she is surrounded with - aliens, time travelers, and espers. Because Haruhi is not aware that she is god, the world is safe. But if she were to become aware, and disinterested, the end of everything is nigh.

The book is not without problems - the constant sexual harassment of Asahi by Haruhi is unpleasant, and a reminder of the unfortunate 'sexual harassment is funny' school of thought which plagues Japanese culture. There is unnecessary fan service - bunny-girl outfits, girl-on-girl groping, and a very unfortunate joking reference to sexual assault - all of which detract from the whole.

This novels exemplifies both what is good and fascinating about the Japanese light novel, and what prevents it from wider success in the Western world. I enjoyed it very much, but that was because I was willing to forgive the warts to appreciate the beauty of the whole. But your mileage could vary....more

This was a fun little discount read. A well-organized collection of the writings of the utterly bizarre Mrs. Mortimer - a Victorian lady from EnglandThis was a fun little discount read. A well-organized collection of the writings of the utterly bizarre Mrs. Mortimer - a Victorian lady from England who, though she never traveled, wrote extensively on travel, foreign countries and people. And how much she hated them. And how dirty they were.

Which is striking, because she never even went to Wales, a few miles from her home. Aside from a childhood visit to Belgium and a short term to Edinburgh, the woman hardly left her house. Oh, and she also wrote terrifying (and popular) children's books, from a harshly anti-Catholic moral and religious stance.

The book's jacket says it best. The value of this book is largely in looking up 'who your ancestors were, and what was wrong with them', and will generate some laughs. If you are easily offended by hideous ignorance and racism, I would avoid, but if you can laugh at the premise, then there is something to enjoy here, in a limited sense. I wouldn't really call it the kind of book you would just sit down and read, however, because the characterizations start to become monotonously similar....more

This is some excellent non-fiction, though it is written exactly in the manner of a fictional crime/detective novel. The meta story for the book is thThis is some excellent non-fiction, though it is written exactly in the manner of a fictional crime/detective novel. The meta story for the book is the the theft of The Scream, the famous painting, during the Norwegian Olympics. The crime went unsolved for some time, until the tiny Art Crime unit of Scotland Yard got involved.

The book is well organized, with chapters telling the story of the theft and the paintings eventually recovery with chapters describing the collecting of art, art theft, the myth of the 'Dr. No' criminal with a secret gallery of masterpieces, identifying of paintings and forgery, policing art crime, and other topics relevant to the case at hand.

A great, quick read, for fans of true crime, or non-fiction with an artistic/criminal bent....more

Very cute. Almost too cute, but Sarah Diemer is an entertaining writer, and she pulls it off successfully.

The inept witch who just happens to be a fabVery cute. Almost too cute, but Sarah Diemer is an entertaining writer, and she pulls it off successfully.

The inept witch who just happens to be a fabulous cupcake baker?

Cute.

Her vampire-stereotype almost boyfriend?

Well, he might be a little cliche, but their almost romance is just adorable. I would actually read another book about those characters, just to find out if they hooked up.

The plot is vehicle for the romance, but that's fine. The dialogue is fun and snappy, the halloween-fairy tale vibe is consistent and well-done, and amusing concepts scattered through out keep the story from bogging down. Particularly enjoyed Death-as-a-Tree. A winning concept, there.

Now, I have to admit Diemer's work was recommend to me as good yuri (sapphic-lesbian whatever you wanna call it) fiction, but she wasn't specific about which book I should get. This was cute and fun, but a bit lacking in lesbians - but that was my bad on the selection. Turns out, had I picked any other book Diemer has written, more or less, and it would have been more in line with my expectations.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. If the idea of a cute, cupcake baking witch in a world resembling Nightmare Before Christmas sounds appealing - and you have a serious sweet tooth for your fiction - then I would recommend Hallow' Eve. ...more

I enjoy the Kindle Singles format, and I've read several now. It's a good way to read personal essays in a short to medium lengMuch ado about nothing.

I enjoy the Kindle Singles format, and I've read several now. It's a good way to read personal essays in a short to medium length. This, however, is not one of those essays.

Broudy came across, to me, as world-weary and narcissistic, surprisingly dismissive of the modern world and simultaneously dulled by its sensory overload. There were long passages expounding on his personal theories on loniness, isolation, modernity, sexuality, and so on, which are of moderate interest, but his tendency to turn self-reflection outward - to assume that what he experiences is a universal rather than a personal revelation, comes across as pedantic and condescending.

As for subject matter, he keeps the reader in the dark for a long time as to the contents of the mysterious book that he is seeking, one that could exist 'only in the modern era' but would be banned in any library. This is a little too much build for...

***SPOILER****

...a book of drawings of vaginas to serve as models for a Czech plastic surgeon specializing in such things. The 92-year old man who produces the pictures is moderately more interesting, but not enough so that it was a particularly compelling reveal.

I guess I was thinking of the Voynich manuscript, or Henry Darger, or something along those lines. Drawings of the female sex don't seem particularly scandalous to me, nor do I find the subject of genital plastic surgery to be nearly as fascinating as the author does.

I freely admit to giving extra stars based on Mike Allred, who is awesome.

This isn't the most original story ever - it is filled with zombies, were-crI freely admit to giving extra stars based on Mike Allred, who is awesome.

This isn't the most original story ever - it is filled with zombies, were-creatures, ghosts, and vampires, and while some of them are very interesting takes on the conventional ideas, others seem, at least in the first volume, to be very typical to form.

What makes this work is the extremely compelling main character, who I refuse to tell you anything about, because it real is best to be surprised. Actually, all three of the main characters are pretty compelling, each with implied back story and a fascinating little wrinkle to their persona.

There is a very, very strong Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibe to this. Perhaps too strong. Time will tell. Without Allred, this only gets three stars, because the writing is good and fun, but not particularly special or original, but the art just sings, in a punk-rock-album-cover sort of way.

If you enjoy zombie stuff, urban fiction with romantic undertones, or funny horror, then I would recommend this book....more

This was really good - despite my general ambivalence for vampire fiction. A bit of an oddity to have Stephen King writing a big chunk of the comic, bThis was really good - despite my general ambivalence for vampire fiction. A bit of an oddity to have Stephen King writing a big chunk of the comic, but he's as good with the sequential genre as he is with genre fiction, though Snyder's portions flow a bit better.

There's a split story going on here - one half flashback to the history of one 'Skinner Sweat', a thoroughly vile Old West bandit, who ends up becoming the first of the series titular American Vampires. This is an important part of the story - the basic idea is that vampires created in America, from Americans, are very different from European transplants, who are more or less conventional to mythology. I won't give away the difference between the two breeds, but they are intriguing. This is King's part of the gig, and he handles it all quite well.

The other half of the story is set during the golden age of Hollywood, and revolves around a flapper-looking aspiring actress, and her own unfortunate encounter with vampires, and a slightly more fortunate encounter with the aged and mellowed Skinner Sweat, who appears to have shifted from out-and-out monster to anti-hero. This part of the story is very fast moving and gripping, with an extremely relatable main character, good dialogue, and nice art.

Every few years, I tempted to write of Vertigo as something that just appeals to Goth kids, something that will eventually fail the test of time, but they always manage to reinvent themselves in intriguing ways to stay at the very peak of comic book creativity. American Vampire is one of those books that reminds me why I have been reading their stories for so long. I look forward to volume 2, and heartily endorse volume one....more

I've heard that this book was mildly controversial, though I can't imagine why.

Okay, just kidding. This book has more uncomfortable sexual and familiaI've heard that this book was mildly controversial, though I can't imagine why.

Okay, just kidding. This book has more uncomfortable sexual and familial relationships than anything short of Shakespeare or the Bible. Nabokov is a really talented writer, and this was probably his best work.

I won't summarize the plot, because I assume that you already know the gist - old guy falls in love with twelve-year old 'nymphet', and then some other even more messed up stuff happens. You know, like the main character marrying Lolita's mom, so he can be closer to his prepubescent lover, or Lolita taking up with yet another grown man. Suffice to say, it's all bad, and none of the characters are particularly sympathetic.

It is, however, wonderfully written, with the usual Russian flare for beautiful language. And, in a icky, need a shower sort of way, pretty sexy, too. Not the kind of thing anyone would condone, but that is part of the reason that the book continues to command attention, after so many decades on the market. Frankly, I think this book probably still qualifies as shocking, even after the passage of time, which is saying something. Besides, without this book, Sting would have nothing to draw inspiration from when writing creepy songs about stalking.

Like most Russian-authored books, a great deal of the value in Lolita is determined by the quality of the translation. Fortunately, there are several good options on the market today, due to the work's wide popularity....more

Can I give a 2.5? Maybe even 2.75? Three is too much, but I'd rather err on the side of being nice.

This was the first manga I read on my Kindle - andCan I give a 2.5? Maybe even 2.75? Three is too much, but I'd rather err on the side of being nice.

This was the first manga I read on my Kindle - and overall, I thought it to be successful and enjoyable, especially for the price.

I enjoyed the art more than the writing, but for a first outing a newcomer, the main character is intriguing and the plot is somewhat interesting, revolving around fallen angles, a secret society in the past that hunted them, and of course, the high school girl whom all of this centers around.

There are some fairly serious problems - insta-love between the main characters, for example, a rather absurdly cartoony take on New York, some heavy Twilight-vibes, a really unnecessary motorcycles for the dreamboat boy to ride, and too much foreshadowing via last names. But my real issue with the book stemmed from the character known as 'Junior'. I have come to accept that all manga and anime must have a pervy-but-good-hearted comic relief 'best friend' character, even though it makes me mildly ill. But Junior's appearance - sort of a Popeye combined with Archie thing, except he's a midget - just makes it all intolerable. I actually found myself skipping his scenes, I hate him so much.

Overall, though, it was a fun, fast read, and more than fair for the price. I would definitely read a second volume, as I feel like some of the kinks could be worked out via experience. The artist shows definite potential - the sketches in the back were actually more detailed and interesting than some of the illustrations in the book. There is lots of upward potential here, particularly if Junior were to die in the first few pages of Volume Two. Please. ...more

One of the greatest books ever written. Hemingway is a master of the English language, and one of the undisputed best novelists in recent history, andOne of the greatest books ever written. Hemingway is a master of the English language, and one of the undisputed best novelists in recent history, and this book finds him at the height of his powers. It isn't about anything in particular - American expatriates in France, memories of WWII, drinking in Paris and Spain, fishing, and bullfighting. But the sheer power of the language, the purity of the imagery, and the subtle threads of emotion buried beneath the wandering plot are all virtually unmatched.

If you haven't read this book, read it. Hemingway is economical in his use of language and description, so it is short and a quick read. You owe it to yourself to spend at least an evening with this remarkable book....more

I am a huge fan of cyberpunk literature, but I've never particularly enjoyed Bruce Sterling's offerings. Not that they were bad - he is far too accompI am a huge fan of cyberpunk literature, but I've never particularly enjoyed Bruce Sterling's offerings. Not that they were bad - he is far too accomplished a writer for that - but I simply never found his visions of the future particularly compelling, and he lacked the vivid characters and powerful language of William Gibson or Phillip K Dick.

There is, of course, an exception - Schismatrix. While he isn't the first author to move cyberpunk sensibilities into space - Gibson did a USSR themed space story in Burning Chrome - Sterling's wrold has the most complete vision, and the best ideas.

The idea, spoiler free, is that the Earth has been abandoned for ill-defined reasons, leaving the rest of humanity to struggle along in clusters of space stations, habitats, and space ships. Much of the remaining population is involved in a war between Shapers - genetically modified humans - and the Mechanists, who favor life-extending cybernetics and AIs. While various paradigms come and go during the relatively long timeline, terraforming is at the crux of the book. The way Sterling focuses on the radical social fracturing and experimentation, the ecological and genetic engineering, and the technology needed to transform humanity into a species capable of surviving in space is utterly fascinating. Even better, there are a number of fascinating characters scattered through out the book, though the lead character, Abelard is often little more than a cypher or a guide to the events at hand, and his personality fades in significance and prominence as the story goes on.

Near the end of the book, the subject matter moves in the direction of aliens, damaging the claustrophobic solar system that Sterling had imagined. While the aliens are themselves quite original, the inclusion of a world outside of the tiny island habitats moves the story in a space-opera direction that seems at odds with the rest of the book. Also, the author lingers a bit too much on the philosophy of trans-humanism for me.

Still, an excellent read, and perhaps the best fusing of cyberpunk and space SF that has been done....more

One of the most perfect, lonely, and wonderful books that I have ever read. This book revolves around Tenar, a young priestess/sacrifice to the darkneOne of the most perfect, lonely, and wonderful books that I have ever read. This book revolves around Tenar, a young priestess/sacrifice to the darkness of Atuan, rather than Sparrowhawk or the rest of the Earthsea Saga, and can actually be read by itself, as I first did.

The imagery of a child, growing up in the ruins of a previous society, worshiping by wandering the dark and seemingly endless halls of a perpetually light-less labyrinth, is both haunting and impossibly beautiful. Tenar is both pitiably real and admirably defiant, both a product of and better than her surroundings.

My only real complaint with this book is the arrival of the wizard, who brings with him the baggage of Earth Sea, and too many fantasy tropes to count. If this book were a stand alone novel, and if the heroine did not require rescuing from a white night far too traditional for my tastes, this would be one of the true classics of fantasy. Unfortunately, it is instead an amazing book in the midst of mediocre series....more

If you were at all interested in the Necrosha cross-over, but you don't want to read the boring stuff with mediocre art, here is what you do - buy thiIf you were at all interested in the Necrosha cross-over, but you don't want to read the boring stuff with mediocre art, here is what you do - buy this book, and the New Mutants title by the same name, and you have every relevant moment. Outside of what is covered in these two titles, the rest of the story amounts to Colossus being angry and punching things, and Rogue being poorly drawn.

This book has such amazing art that I am not sure what kind of adjective to apply to it, so I'm going to steal from Yotsuba - IT'S SUPER AMAZING! Many of these characters have never looked this good. Most of them never will again. Every panel is beautiful. Make sure you read it in good light - the inking is so heavy, you can miss most the amazing detail work in the wonderfully rendered shadows.

The story, I admit, is not all that. The characters are great, though, and there is a whole lot of interesting character development. Even Warpath is tolerable in this one, though Ghost Rider's appearance is more than a bit shoehorned in. Wolfsbane's plot line continues to suck, but what do you expect? She's a mutant werewolf chick thing, dating a Norse wolf-God thing. It's furry fantasy material. The only reason that Rahne is even in this book is that the artist likes to draw her in gratuitously tight t-shirts. Personally, I'm not complaining, but that might be a problem for some.

The only real weakness to the story is that it hinges around the temporary resurrection of former X-Men foes as undead mutant zombie things - which really reveals how lame every dead character was. It isn't like Marvel will let go of a good character because of a slight inconvenience like death. They are basically forced to make the undead immortal to explain why Magneto has trouble fighting a bunch of dead Apaches, or Pyro and Super Saber are a terrifying threat. It was nice to see Negatronic Teenage Warhead again, particularly as no one said her name.

Selene is actually a pretty effective villain in this, continuing the X Force tradition of taking old, boring villains, and reinventing them in fascinating ways. If I were immortal, I would wear something that didn't constantly give me a wedgie, but that's neither here nor there. The plot is more of a device to show you some cool shit, including some epically violent fight scenes, and to develop the characters in various directions, but it serves its purpose.

Except for Ghost Rider. F@#k that guy.

There is a heavy Lost Boy aesthetic to this book (evident on the cover) and I like it. The artist goes for a traditional gothic look, and there is a great deal of eye candy, regardless of your gender or preferences. The action sequences are among the best of the year, and the art is absolutely staggering....more

Is this the best comic being published today? In superhero terms, it just might be. It doesn't even matter that Deathlok is lame, and that the alternaIs this the best comic being published today? In superhero terms, it just might be. It doesn't even matter that Deathlok is lame, and that the alternate timeline future hero-Deathlok mashups are stupid looking. It really doesn't. The story is just that great.

It doesn't matter that the setting is the the World - think the holo deck in Star Trek - a writer's crutch if there ever was one. It doesn't matter that the art is a step down from previous X-Force outings, that the lineup isn't as compelling as it could be, that the inking can be a little muddy.

Here on out, I may get a little spoilery. Nothing too huge, but you were warned.

What does matter?

Deadpool matters. Really. In a way I don't think he ever has, in any of his many appearances. He has real pathos - you can make the argument that the absurdest, fourth-wall breaking Merc is the most sympathetic member of the group. Certainly, the scene in which he confesses to the group that he has trouble sleeping as a result of their actions is a real eye-opener.

Archangel matters, as he slowly descends down the ladder to inhumanity. Apocalypse, like all the best comic villains, never really dies, and his influence is slowly corrupting the most 'angelic' of the X-Men, despite his death.

Wolverine matters. Still. Despite everything they have done to him. How bout that?

Psylocke matters, and here I thought she was mostly in the book to assume that weird pose where both ass and boobs face forward. Must need a lot of yoga lessons to do that. Still, somehow, I like her. Communing with the ghost of Captain Britain in the Dangeroom? Brilliant.

The concept, however - a super hero black-ops squad, taking out threats to mutant kind before they manifest, remains vital and fascinating. Not as beautiful as early efforts, but just as well written....more

Mary Roach is the best thing going in science writing at the moment, bar none, and Packing for Mars finds her at the height of her powers. As usual, RMary Roach is the best thing going in science writing at the moment, bar none, and Packing for Mars finds her at the height of her powers. As usual, Roach is more interested in the people who study the science of living in space than the actual history of space exploration, or the science thereof, though she explores all three before the finale. But this proves to be one of the books many strengths, as the author emphasizes the human element to a subject that could seem almost mechanical or remote.

The writing is taut and funny, with hilarious footnotes and brief digressions, in the manner of this writer's best previous work. Rarely did I go more than a few pages without laughing out loud, either in astonishment, shock, or sheer hilarity. The research that this book must have involved is daunting, but quite thoroughly explored. Roach is at her best when she can apply her own sly, slightly naughty sensibilities to a subject that seems dry and uninteresting, or even gross, on the face of it, and Packing for Mars provides many of these moments.

At least as good as her debut novel, Stiff, Packing for Mars is excellent, funny, and a fast read by an excellent author. If I had a complaint, it was only that I wished it went on longer, not because it was too short, but rather because I was enjoying reading it....more

What an interesting, balanced and thorough biography of one of the world's most famous savants, and one of the greatest chess players of all time. FisWhat an interesting, balanced and thorough biography of one of the world's most famous savants, and one of the greatest chess players of all time. Fischer is an unbelievably difficult subject, due to his bizarre behavior, alienating habits, obsessive studying, and of course, his hysterical and irrational antisemitism (ah, another self-hating Jew).

This books examines Fischer's entire life, with exhaustive study as well as the author's own personal relationship with the man mined for fascinating insights. While Fischer might be totally unsympathetic as a person, he is nonetheless compelling, moving literally from the greatest intellectual heights down to the level of a raving lunatic, banned from his own country, prejudiced against his own culture, doomed to die like Napoleon, exiled to a remote island and forgotten (in this case, the compassionate people of Iceland offer him a final refuge).

The books prose and editing are tight and finely wrought, and in particular the descriptions of the pivotal World Championship between Fischer and the Soviet Grandmaster during the height of the Cold War are thorough and riveting. Highly recommended for those interested in chess, or biographies of geniuses and savants....more

I often hear this described as a detective series, which is completely inaccurate. Atticus Kodiak is, at least for the first few books, a professionalI often hear this described as a detective series, which is completely inaccurate. Atticus Kodiak is, at least for the first few books, a professional bodyguard, not a detective. While the book does share some aspects with the crime genre, it is primarily concerned with the world of close protection and bodyguarding - something that I found both unique and fascinating. Rucka's lead character is largely appealing and sympathetic, if something of a blank slate. While the plot moves quickly and is moderately entertaining, its not really the appeal of the book, in my opinion, but rather the unique perspective that the story is told from. ...more

One of my favorite books ever - this books is dark, bleak, and uncompromising in its overview of a world of criminals so damaged by an utter lack of tOne of my favorite books ever - this books is dark, bleak, and uncompromising in its overview of a world of criminals so damaged by an utter lack of trust that any kind of true peace or caring relationship is possible. The characters are fascinating, in a grim and horrible sort of way, as you watch the last of their humanity bleed away from them as the encounter one trauma after another in their attempt to escape a bank job and a prison break by crossing the Mexican border. Of particular note is the horrifying scene in which the two main characters are hidden in small, sealed caves, and the reader left inside with them. Claustrophobic horror and its very best. The only probably with this book is that the end is a little over the top, driving home the point of the book a bit too much, a bit too concerned with the message. Overall, one of Jim Thompson's best books....more

It's awesome. I don't have to tell you that, right? Because you've already read it, because you have good taste, and because you know a classic when yIt's awesome. I don't have to tell you that, right? Because you've already read it, because you have good taste, and because you know a classic when you see it. And if all you've done so far is to see the movies (excellent in their own right) - then you are denying yourself a real treat. My father read my the entirety of Lord of the Rings aloud, including the Hobbit, over the course of years, and it was a formative experience in my life. Not only did this book pretty much invent the fantasy genre, decades later, it remains one of the best (if not the best) effort in the genre....more

Not only is this fascinating (as is the Male Brain, btw), but it helped me to better understand my wife and the other women in my life. Some feminineNot only is this fascinating (as is the Male Brain, btw), but it helped me to better understand my wife and the other women in my life. Some feminine habits and practices had mystified me my entire life until I read this book. What I learned were invaluable skills for inter-gender relationships. Plus, for a science book, its an easy and fun read. I recommend it to both those who possess a female brain, and to those who are interested in them....more